STEPHEN J. DILLENBECK
ELIZABETH,CO
Summary
Healthcare operations leader and EMS innovator with more than 25 years of experience directing high-acuity emergency medical services, fire response, and critical care transport operations across complex healthcare environments. Proven ability to lead large-scale EMS programs with accountability for operational performance, workforce management, financial stewardship, clinical quality, and safety outcomes. Extensive background in both ground and multi-base air medical operations, including eight years as a flight paramedic and regional educator supporting clinical excellence, standardization, and crew development across multiple aviation platforms. Recognized for applying a value-based care lens to EMS, advancing prehospital medicine beyond a traditional transport function into a mobile healthcare delivery platform that improves access, reduces unnecessary utilization, and strengthens system-wide outcomes. Brings a system-focused approach to integrating EMS within the broader healthcare continuum.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
EMS Battalion Chief
Intermountain Health – Flight and Ambulance Services
01.2024 - Current
- Direct EMS operations across a 1,000-square-mile, multi-agency service area supporting 911 response and integrated healthcare system operations.
- Lead 18–27 direct reports per shift with responsibility for hiring input, performance management, discipline, and workforce development
- Oversee deployment and readiness of 9 ambulances across multiple agencies to ensure system reliability and coverage
- Maintain accountability for budget alignment, resource utilization, and cost control in a high-demand environment
- Direct response to high-acuity and large-scale incidents, coordinating multi-agency resources to ensure effective operational outcomes
- Drive quality and safety initiatives including incident review, risk mitigation, performance tracking, and corrective action planning
- Ensure compliance with clinical, regulatory, and organizational standards
- Collaborate with hospital, aviation, and system leaders to support integrated care delivery
- Provide operational insight to senior leadership to support system-level decisions and future service model development
- Advance EMS as a value-based care asset, improving patient access, reducing unnecessary utilization, and supporting system-level efficiency
- Recipient of a system-level safety award for advancing patient and caregiver safety through operational leadership and risk reduction
Lieutenant / Paramedic
Elizabeth Fire Protection District
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Provided operational leadership across multiple stations, ensuring workforce accountability, operational readiness, and effective emergency response across fire and EMS functions.
- Supervised personnel with responsibility for performance management, discipline, and day-to-day operational accountability
- Participated in hiring processes, performance evaluations, and corrective action procedures
- Led fire suppression, rescue, and EMS incidents, ensuring coordinated response and effective resource utilization
- Managed station-level operations including staffing, training coordination, and deployment strategies
- Reinforced a culture of safety, accountability, and operational discipline
Paramedic / Field Training Officer
Action Care Ambulance
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Delivered advanced life support care within high-volume 911 and interfacility transport environments while supporting workforce development and clinical standardization.
- Served as Field Training Officer responsible for onboarding, mentoring, and evaluating new EMTs and paramedics
- Promoted clinical consistency, protocol adherence, and operational readiness
- Functioned as a senior field resource in high-acuity patient care situations
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Healthcare Management
Capella University
04-2026
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
Capella University
10-2025
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Hutchinson Community College
12-2011
Skills
- EMS Program Leadership
- Budget and Financial Management
- Workforce Leadership and Discipline
- Clinical Quality and Safety
- Regulatory Compliance
- Value-Based Care Integration
- Healthcare System Alignment
- Multi-Agency Coordination
- Operational Strategy
- Resource Deployment
- Continuous Improvement
Certification
- Nationally Registered Paramedic (NREMT-P)
- State of Colorado Paramedic
- AHA BLS, ACLS, PALS
- Colorado Certified EMS Primary and Skills Instructor
- Firefighter I and II
- Fire Officer I
- ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
Timeline
EMS Battalion Chief
Intermountain Health – Flight and Ambulance Services
01.2024 - Current
Lieutenant / Paramedic
Elizabeth Fire Protection District
01.2019 - 01.2024
Paramedic / Field Training Officer
Action Care Ambulance
01.2017 - 01.2021
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Healthcare Management
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
Capella University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Hutchinson Community College
CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT AND ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Flight Paramedic / Regional Educator – Multi-base Air Medical Programs
- EMS Captain / Field Training Officer – American Medical Response (AMR)
- Paramedic – Denver Paramedics
- Eight years of rotor-wing critical care transport experience across multi-base aviation programs, including high-acuity interfacility and scene response operations
- Served as a regional educator supporting clinical standardization, crew training, and competency development
- Collaborated with aviation partners, hospital systems, and EMS agencies to ensure safe, coordinated transport operations
- Experience spanning both air and ground environments supporting integrated system operations
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE
- Equivalence Wellness (Equivalence Enterprises LLC)
- Founder and Operator
- Founded and managed a healthcare-focused business with responsibility for financial planning, budgeting, and operational strategy
- Maintained full profit and loss accountability including cost control, vendor management, and revenue planning
- Built scalable operational processes supporting efficiency, growth, and regulatory awareness